Team GB snowboarder Zoë Gillings signs off from Vancouver in her final
exclusive Telegraph.co.uk diary.

It feels like I only arrived here yesterday and now the Winter Olympic Games has drawn to a close. As one of 2,500 competing athletes, I was privileged to be there to attend the closing ceremony. It was so spectacular and I can’t believe that the next Olympic Games to take place will be in London in 2012.

My last few days in Vancouver were spent like a spectator – myself and a couple of the other athletes went to as many events as we could. I also attended the BA reception party on Monday night, which turned out to be one of the most talked about nights here with lots of VIPs in attendance and sore heads the next day! I’ve also been busy with media interviews. The question on everyone’s lips was ‘what does the future hold’ for me, and I have reassuringly responded ‘i’ll be back’! I’ll be taking so much from these Olympic Games and will be turning it into success for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi (Russia).

There has been loads of press regarding the financial state of my program, culminating with it shutting down over the summer just before these Winter Olympic Games. Some have questioned why I even bother to keep trying to compete against the best in the world, when they have more resources and I literally have the snowboard I compete on, but the answer is simple - snowboarding is my passion and I want to be the best in the world, nothing else matters. Now with the British Ski and Snowboard on board (they have taken over as our governing body) I’m really excited about what the future holds.

Every athlete here has had their ups and downs, but in general its been great living with the team for the last four weeks and the British Olympic Association (BOA) have looked after us really well too. I shall miss waking up in the morning to breakfast where I know I’d bump into my team mates and then make plans for the day, usually involving going to a event to cheer on the athletes.

I will also never forget how Vancouver welcomed us with open arms. Everywhere we went, people chatted to us and were so kind, we have been made to feel very welcome here, and I have loved being a part of it.

There have been many magical moments in Vancouver; when Canada beat USA at the ice hockey was amazing, every single person in Vancouver was wearing red and white cheering very loudly – it was an unforgettable experience. But, for me, the real highlight was seeing my friend and team mate Amy Williams come first in the bob skeleton, I was so proud of her. Only a year before we were in Vancouver for the Olympic Winter Games test event where I witnessed her take silver, but this time around she took gold.

As for me, well I’m pleased with how well I’ve done personally, but cannot hide the fact I’d like to have taken Gold - still, this gives me something to strive for!

As we boarded our British Airways flight back to London , all the athletes and management staff were in good spirits, and dare I say it was somewhat of a party atmosphere on board! The reception in Terminal 5 when we arrived was unbelievable – photographers taking pictures, well-wishers cheering us on, and friends and family with banners to welcome us back. It was heartwarming.

The past few weeks have been a real journey, and I’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone that has supported me to get here. Firstly, I’d like to thank Ian, Mahdi, Greg and the rest of the BOA team for being my second family out here, I’d like to acknowledge the event organisers for putting on such a spectacular Winter Olympic Games. I’d also like to thank my sponsors for their ongoing support, my friends and family for their love and guidance, my Manager Dan and snowboard cross team staff , many of which worked for me a majority of the summer for no pay. And finally, I’d like to thank you – the Telegraph readers, Team GB supporters and fellow Brits who have given us the encouragement, support and honour of representing Britain.

Thank you Vancouver – London, it’s over to you!

Zoë Gillings is supported by British Airways - the official airline partner of Team GB and Paralympics GB. To find out more about how the airline is helping British talent to take off, please go to www.greatbritons.ba.com